TAKE THE SOLO LEAP AND EMBRACE VULNERABILITY

How travelling solo helps you discover your courage... and the transformative power of embracing uncertainty

Greek island hopping circa 1997

Written by Sarah Bateman

Founder of Solo Explorer Travel

Picture this: There I was, standing alone in bustling Bangkok airport, having just said my goodbyes to a friend. It’s the late ’90s—no Google Maps, no Instagram influencers, no Google Translate to hold my hand. I’m in my late 20s, venturing into the world of solo travel for the first time, and thinking, “What could possibly go wrong?” Spoiler alert: nothing catastrophic—but plenty of moments that would unexpectedly unveil a version of myself I hadn’t quite met yet.

At that moment, I had absolutely no idea how I’d handle being on my own. But I had a ticket to Greece, and with no turning back, I figured I was in for an adventure. If you'd told me I'd one day look back on this moment with a sense of triumph, I would’ve laughed and said, 'Right now, I'm just trying to make it from Bangkok to the Greek Islands without getting lost, scammed, or turning into a cautionary tale for future travellers.’

When I finally landed in Athens and started navigating my way to the port of Piraeus, something unexpected happened. Sure, I had the typical solo traveller jitters, but there was also a tiny little spark of something else—confidence. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as hopeless as I feared. I was starting to think I could actually pull this off… and not get lost in the process.

After wading through a bustling port filled with a sea of travellers, deciphering Greek signs, and feeling a bit overwhelmed, I finally managed to board the ferry to Hydra. (Pro tip: it’s Idra if you want to sound like a local—I learned this the hard way after a comical 15-minute exchange trying to explain where I was headed). As the boat set sail across the Mediterranean, something inside me shifted. There I was—all by myself, cruising across the sea, not needing anyone but my fabulous self.

As I looked around at the other passengers—mostly couples and families— I started to notice a few like-minded adventurers traveling alone. That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t on my own. I was part of a secret club of solo travellers, the brave and the fearless — who dare to go places and do things on their own terms. As I sparked up a conversation with another solo traveller, I smiled to myself because, yes, I was one of them. And not only that, I was enjoying it.

Suddenly, I realized the truth: Solo travel isn’t just about discovering new places. It’s about discovering you— having the bravery to face your vulnerabilities and liking what you find.

About the Author

Sarah Bateman is the founder of Solo Explorer Travel, a travel business dedicated to empowering solo travellers to embrace their adventures with confidence. Through her years of experience, she offers expert advice, personalised travel planning, and shares practical tips & inspiration for solo travellers, no matter their budget or experience level. Sarah believes that solo travel is about discovering the world on your terms—and she’s here to help you take that first step.

When she is not traveling, you’ll usually find Sarah enjoying time with her family and friends, cooking dishes she discovered on her journeys, learning photography, or planning her next adventure (even if it's just a weekend getaway!). She is also an avid reader and loves curling up with a good travel memoir to fuel her wanderlust.

Want to connect or have questions about solo travel?

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📧 Email: hello@soloexplorertravel.com.au

🌍 Website: www.soloexplorertravel.com.au